HC directs govt to improve ‘state of affairs’ in hospitals
Expert committee ordered to suggest remedial measuresNew Delhi, September 25
Expressing anguish over the sordid state of affairs in government hospitals, including AIIMS, the Delhi High Court has directed authorities to improve the conditions, as a large number of people in the Capital were dependent on them for treatment.

Freeship to poor students: CM to look into problems
New Delhi, September 25
The Delhi Government, in order to ensure that 25 per cent freeship to poor students in lieu of the land allotted to institutions at throwaway prices, has said it will look into the ‘’genuine problems’’ in the implementation of this ‘’arrangement.’’

GSCASH’s ‘sexually deviant’ provision kicks up a storm in JNU
New Delhi, September 25
The Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment in Jawaharlal Nehru University in its present form has caused a furore with the students and the teachers taking exception to certain provisions, which they perceive are an antithesis to the committee’s existence.

Girl gangraped; three held
Victim’s blue film madeMeerut, September 25
In a sensational case, a Dalit girl was raped for several days by some youngsters of her own village. The rapists also prepared a blue film of the girl. Later, they sold her to a rickshaw-puller for Rs 4,000.

Delhi ministers Haroon Yusuf, Dr A.K. Walia, Arvinder Singh Lovely along with Salman Khurshid and Sajjan Kumar at the inauguration of a seminar on ‘Education and Hazrat Ali’ at the FICCI Auditorium in the Capital on Sunday.
— Tribune photo by Rajeev Tyagi

Two motorcyclists at the Delhi Motocross Challenge 2005, organised by the Delhi Automotive Racing Academy (DARA) in the Capital.
— A Tribune photograph

Guard thrashed by BSNL workers’ union leader
Faridabad, September 25
A security guard posted at the Customer Care Centre-cum- Central Telegraph office of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd
in the NIT area here was beaten black and blue by a workers’ union leader of the BSNL when the former tried to ascertain his identity before allowing him entry in his vehicle yesterday.

DMRC to take up rainwater harvesting at Metro stations
New Delhi, September 25
The Delhi Metro, the Capital’s rapid mass transport system, is undertaking rainwater harvesting at most of its stations. The Delhi Metro Rail Corp
is undertaking rainwater harvesting at most of the Metro stations on the
Indraprastha-Dwarka subcity Metro line as an environmental protection measure, the company said in a press release here.

ArtscapePaintings capture the moods, dreams and desires of women
New Delhi, September 25
Come October 10 and the neighbouring city of Noida will find its place on the national canvas of fine arts as Copal Art, a private initiative dedicated to showcasing “works and thoughts” of some of the leading and upcoming Indian artists, is all set to open its art gallery there.‘Contemplation’ by
Sangeeta Singh.

Delhi close to full eradication of polio: Sheila
New Delhi, September 25
The Delhi Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit, today launched 50th phase of pulse polio campaign at her residence by administering anti-polio drops to children at a simple function.

Dalit panel demands leader’s release
New Delhi, September 25
The Delhi unit of the Coordination Committee against Atrocities on Dalits
has sought immediate release of its leader, Mr Mor Singh, who, they alleged had been arrested here on trumpeted charges and implementation of the Prevention of Atrocities on SC/ST Act in Haryana.

LIAFI meeting to reframe charter of demands
New Delhi, September 25
The Life Insurance Agents Federation of India began its two-day 13th General Council Meeting here today. The meeting was inaugurated at Siri Fort Auditorium by Members of Parliament, Dr Rajesh Mishra and Mr K. Bhattacharjee.

Nigerian diplomat’s son held for selling cocaine
New Delhi, September 25
The Delhi Police today claimed to have arrested the son of a Nigerian diplomat for allegedly selling cocaine in the vicinity of a cinema theatre in South Delhi, the police said.

New Delhi, September 25
Expressing anguish over the sordid state of affairs in government hospitals, including AIIMS, the Delhi High Court has directed authorities to improve the conditions, as a large number of people in the Capital were dependent on them for treatment.

Acting Chief Justice B. A. Khan and Justice M. B. Lokur directed the government to constitute a committee to survey the prevailing conditions in these hospitals to indicate the reasons for the ‘’present none-too-happy state of affairs and suggest remedial measures.

‘’The committee shall be constituted within two weeks taking experts from government hospitals, AIIMS, representatives from Centre and state governments and Delhi Medical Association (DMA). The committee would in turn give its report to the Union Health Secretary, who would implement the recommendations,’’ said the Court.

Both the Health Secretaries of Union and state are directed to constitute ‘Redressal Committees’’ to receive grievances from the patients and public for their prompt action, said the Judges.

All the hospitals, including AIIMS, have been also directed to set up grievance cells in their respective hospitals. The authorities are also directed to publicise the addresses and details about the grievance cells so as to inform the people.

The court directed the hospitals to stop the entry of public to the premises except that of the attendants.

The medical superintendents of the hospitals and Director of AIIMS are directed to improve the sanitary condition in the establishments, said the six-page order.

In an order on September 5, 2005, the court had issued notices to Union Health Secretary, Director General Health Services, Health Secretary and Director Health Services of Delhi Government to seek their response to the complaints on the ‘’poor facilities, unhealthy and unhygienic conditions’’ in the government hospitals including the AIIMS.

New Delhi, September 25
The Delhi Government, in order to ensure that 25 per cent freeship to poor students in lieu of the land allotted to institutions at throwaway prices, has said it will look into the ‘’genuine problems’’ in the implementation of this ‘’arrangement.’’

After a meeting with representatives from the schools, the Delhi Chief Minister, Mrs Sheila Dikshit, asked the schools to submit their “genuine problems” in the form of a proposal to the state government while they, on their part, must admit poor students and integrate them into the mainstream, sources said.

The school managements are trying to wriggle out of the situation by seeking recognition for special schools run in the afternoons for the ‘’underprivileged’’ children, the top 20 per cent of whom could later be moved to mainstream schools.

‘’Then what happens to the remaining 80 per cent students in such special schools? How would they ever get integrated in the mainstream,’ ‘the Chief Minister questioned.

The Education Minister, Mr A. S. Lovely, who also attended the meeting along with officials of the Education Department, DDA and LNDO, said in such a case the Delhi Government could always give ‘’aid’’ to the schools and take over their management, something which private institutions would never want.

The schools said they would not be able to shoulder the financial burden of the freeship exercise, adding granting freeships to the poor students would result in the increase of fees of the ‘’paid’’ students and that freeship was restricted to only tuition fees and not things like books, uniforms and transportation.

Mr Ashok Agarwal, who filed the PIL for Social Jurists in the Delhi High Court seeking enforcement of the freeship condition laid down in the land lease-deeds of such schools, however, pointed out that the Supreme Court had ruled that schools could not put anyone else’s burden on ‘’paid’’ students.

He also added that freeship meant ‘’come free-go free’’ and included all things incidental to studying like books uniforms and transportation.

The officials of the Education Directorate said while such institutions talked about their inability to shoulder the freeship’s financial burden, an inspection of the accounts of certain schools had revealed that they had crores of rupees stashed away in the form of fixed deposits in banks.

The land owning agency officials also pointed out that the ‘’wrongful gain’’ these schools had been making all these years by not doing what they were supposed to, would offset any ‘’financial strain’’ they might have to bear now.

The Delhi Government, however, said it would consider the genuine problems of the schools in implementing the scheme, in another meeting to be held in a fortnight besides keeping the High Court informed about the issue.

The Union Government was also bringing the Right to Education Bill, which provided that all recognised schools will have to admit 25 per cent poor students, fees of whom will be borne by the Centre. However, those schools, which had been granted concessional lands, would not be paid such funds.

New Delhi, September 25
The Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH) in Jawaharlal Nehru University in its present form has caused a furore with the students and the teachers taking exception to certain provisions, which they perceive are an antithesis to the committee’s existence.

Students are agitated over a provision in the GSCASH that calls for reporting any “sexually deviant” behaviour on the campus. “They have not specified what they mean by sexually deviant behaviour. It could mean a man and a woman dancing or even refer to sexual choices. Reporting such incidents would amount to moral policing and that in JNU is unacceptable,” complained Ankita, a member of Parvaaz, a student’s collective on gender.

The revised format of the GSCASH has been received with scepticism and even disapproval by both the students and the faculty. While the Student’s Union has already staged protests and burnt the copy of the revised rules, the JNUTA Executive is expected to meet here on Monday to split hairs on the issue.

“There are certain provisions which are not agreeable to some sections, so we decided to call a meeting to discuss the issue threadbare. I have been the Chairperson of the GSCASH and have been involved in the setting up of the GSCASH. Therefore, I understand its sanctity and want to ensure that its autonomy is not curtailed,” said the JNUTA President, Dr Rupamanjari Ghosh.

Concern is being expressed over the provisions which state that the JNU Vice-Chancellor and the Rector should be kept informed of each important stage in any ongoing case of harassment. “This is an assault on the autonomy of the GSCASH. It is the VC’s prerogative to pronounce the punishment, which is suggested by the committee, but to keep him informed at every stage is curbing its freedom,” a faculty member said.

Another provision that classifies offences as minor, major and serious has also been contested. “What is a minor offence may have a major implication. It is incorrect to categorise offence. Besides, the GSCASH has also made a provision for mediation and conciliation, which is completely uncalled for,” pointed out Ankita.

It was mentioned that the provision for mediation would allow complainants to be pressurised into withdrawing their complaints. “This can be misused. Girls can be coerced into withdrawing their complaints under the guise of conciliation,” the faculty member said.

Mona Das, President of the JNUSU said, “The new GSCASH is in letter and spirit against the Vishakha judgement case. We do no accept it and will continue to protest against it”.

These provisions are part of the modifications, which were incorporated after being approved by the Executive Council earlier this year.

Meerut, September 25
In a sensational case, a Dalit girl was raped for several days by some youngsters of her own village. The rapists also prepared a blue film of the girl. Later, they sold her to a rickshaw-puller for Rs 4,000.

The crime was committed two months ago, but the case was registered only now when Deputy Inspector General of Meerut Range Raj Kumar Vishwakarma intervened.

All the three accused were arrested. Medical examination of the victim also confirmed the rape. On Saturday, the girl was produced in the court to record her statement under Section 164.

Mrs Sumitra Devi of Bhatipura village under Kithore police station told ‘The Tribune’ that her 14-year-old daughter had been missing since June 30.

A case of missing person was registered by the local police. The girl was recovered on July 27. Khatauli, Muzaffarnagar police traced her to an orphanage.

The girl said that Johny (14), son of Bhule Ram Kuldip (15) and Ravindra (15), son of Ramkishan, abducted her at the point of pistols and knives when she went to answer the call of nature. The trio kept her in Sisoli at the residence of Kuldip’s sister Lata where Sunil prepared a porn film of hers. The girl said that the trio blackmailed her, threatening to publicise her film.

Later, the trio sold her to a rickshaw-puller in Meerut for Rs 4,000 where she was also gangraped for several days. Then she was sent to an orphanage and it was the orphanage that informed the police. The girl and her mother also told ‘The Tribune’ that they also informed the Kithore police, but some heavyweights of the village convened a panchayat meeting where they were being pressurised to dispose of the matter for Rs 20,000.

The victim and her mother alleged that the Kithore police was also putting pressure on them to reach a compromise with the family of the accused. Later, they approached the Dy Inspector General with the help of an advocate and then the case was registered.

Faridabad, September 25
A security guard posted at the Customer Care Centre-cum- Central Telegraph office (CTO) of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) in the NIT area here was beaten black and blue by a workers’ union leader of the BSNL when the former tried to ascertain his identity before allowing him entry in his vehicle yesterday.

The accused was allegedly drunk when the incident took place. A case has been booked. The victim claimed he was discharged prematurely from the hospital.

The victim, identified as Rajpal, a resident of Tumsura village, said here today that as he was a poor man, the police and the BSNL authorities were overlooking his complaint. He suspected the accused, who beat him while he was on duty, might go off scot-free. He said the accused, a union leader of the district unit of the BSNL employees’ union, came in a private vehicle to the CTO building on Friday and asked him to open the gate of the premises. He said as he did not know him he asked him to identify himself first.

According to Rajpal, the accused, who was allegedly in a drunken state, started beating him once he was inside the building. He kept beating him till he fell on the ground. He said the staff nearby rushed to his help and took him to the civil hospital later.

He said the accused asked him how he had dared to stop him from entering the building as he was a union leader. He allegedly threatened him with dire consequences. He said he was released from the hospital within a short period though he had been seriously hurt. He suspected that this was done deliberately to make the case weak. He said he had lodged an official complaint with the BSNL authorities but claimed since he was employed on a contractual basis, the officials might not listen to his grievance.

He said if no action was taken against the accused, the latter may repeat such an act in future. He said the security guards could go on strike if the BSNL authorities did no take any action against the accused.

Meanwhile, a labourer, identified as Shiv Bihari, working with a contractor in Sector 31 here, was killed after he slipped from the stairs of the building under construction. The police was still to take action against the builder.

Gurgaon, September 25
The District police would soon be specialised in different fields and formed in various cells to counter the problems of traffic jams, kidnappings, heinous crimes and women-related incidents.

This was stated by Senior Superintendent of Police Hanif Qureshi while addressing an “interaction meet” with the industrial community, organised by Gurgaon Industrial Association (GIA).

The SSP said that Gurgaon, on the pattern of Delhi, would have a separate staff for patrolling in the city. It would start functional from the next week, added
the officer.

Christened as ‘Chetak Staff’, Mr Qureshi said the staff assigned for the purpose would be divided into two shifts, 10 am to 8 pm and 8 pm to 6 am. There would be a 10-hour job for the staff.

Initially, there would be 50 motorcycles and 30 jeeps for the purpose, said the officer. The patrolling parties would directly report to the district headquarters and not to the station house officer.

The SSP added that there would be a separate staff for controlling the traffic movement in the city. Traffic jams at various important intersections have become a routine feature, said the officer. At present, there are hardly 30 traffic personnel in the district. Likewise, the police department has decided to form auto vehicle theft cell, kidnapping and extortion cell, women cell and burglary cell.

The officer said time has come where the police department need to be specialised in various fields. He revealed that the state government has forwarded a proposal worth Rs 140 crore to the Central government to modernise the police in Haryana, specially in National Capital Region (NCR).

Welcoming the guests, president of Gurgaon Industrial Association, Mr V P Bajaj said that the police must do something to control the truck unions as they have started dictating their terms and do not allow any outside trucks to be hired by the industrial units.

New Delhi, September 25
The Chief Minister, Mrs Sheila Dikshit, today inaugurated ‘Red Saree Day’ awareness campaign against heart diseases among women on the occasion of World Heart Day.

The Chief Minister exhorted women to regularly get their heart check-up done as early detection of problem helps in avoiding a major heart problem.

She described women a motivator of proper healthcare who devoted her time and energy to keep entire family fit and healthy.

She said that women had to do more than 75 per cent of entire work at home and workplace apart from managing the family and society. In this process, she has to remain under lot of stress, which is common cause of heart disease in women.

Women’s symptoms-nausea an overwhelming fatigue and dizziness were often chalked up to stress. Obesity is also a cause of heart disease in women.

The Chief Minister further asked women to utilise the services of super specialty hospitals heart spreading in Delhi, which were equipped with ultra-modern technology.

She also stressed the need for awareness against heart disease and advised them to take precautions after consulting a qualified physician and heart specialists.

A ‘Red Saree’ symbolising the need for awareness against women heart disease was presented to the Chief Minister. Large number of women gathered to get their heart check-up in a free camp organised on this occasion.

New Delhi, September 25
The Delhi Metro, the Capital’s rapid mass transport system, is undertaking rainwater harvesting at most of its stations. The Delhi Metro Rail Corp (DMRC) is undertaking rainwater harvesting at most of the Metro stations on the Indraprastha-Dwarka subcity Metro line as an environmental protection measure, the company said in a press release here.

“The DMRC has included rainwater harvesting as part of its station construction contract and is considering the same for Phase-II of the Metro Project as well,” the release said.

The initiative would help in recharging the ground water in Delhi as the Metro has established large catchment area on top of Metro stations, from where it is diverted by drain pipes to settlement/filtration tanks for further transfer into borewells that are located below the stations.

In Phase-II of the Metro project, which covers areas such as Jahangir Puri, IIT, Dilshad Garden, Anand Vihar, New Ashok Nagar and Mundka, the DMRC is preparing an environmental management plan, which would include noise/vibration control and compensatory afforestation. “The species recommended for plantation in the detailed project report of phase-II include Neem, Euclayptos, Kikar, Ashok, Jamun and Sissom” the release said.

New Delhi, September 25
Come October 10 and the neighbouring city of Noida will find its place on the national canvas of fine arts as Copal Art, a private initiative dedicated to showcasing “works and thoughts” of some of the leading and upcoming Indian artists, is all set to open its art gallery there. As a precursor to the event, Copal Art is holding an exhibition of works of Sangeeta Singh, an upcoming local artist, from September 22 to 28 at the Lalit Kala Akademi here.

Entitled, “Psychic Metaphors”, the exhibition has on display some of the selected oil paintings of the artist who believes in the coexistence of man and woman and attempts to evoke the modern woman to recognise her psychic power which has enabled the female to attain “internal empowerment”.

The paintings try to capture the moods and shades of women, their dreams and desires, their intellect and their inner feelings. A postgraduate in chemistry and education, Sangeeta Singh is a self-taught artist who has participated in many national and international exhibitions.

Exhibition of canvases, paper collages

Gopal Namjoshi, another contemporary artist, is holding an exhibition of canvases and paper collages entitled, “Wall Alive”, under the new art and eclectic series at the Art Lounge of the Hotel Ashok here from September 21 to 30.

A full-time practising artist, Gopal is a commerce graduate who subsequently veered towards art and completed a five-year diploma in applied arts from the Rajasthan School of Arts. Gopal has exhibited his works in seven solo shows, 15 group exhibitions and designed and executed 50 murals in different parts of the country.

From Kerala murals to digital art

“Traditions Unbound: Turning the Wheel” is the theme of the art exhibition to be held from October 19 to 26 at the Visual Art Gallery in the India Habitat Center here.

The curator of the show is Dr Alka Pandey. The exhibition plans to showcase a fascinating and diverse array of art works by South Indian artists.

The exhibition, with more than 60 pieces of work contributed by nearly 14 different artists, portrays the journey from Kerala murals to digital art. There are over 50 paintings, eight sculptures and a video art installation on display

The exhibition plans to portray the artistic journey in three different tiers. There would be displays of work from the traditional artists who have been following both a traditional training and representation, to artists who have been dipping into traditional language and creating their very own personal vocabulary and finally to the contemporary visual artists.

The show is being organised in collaboration with the United Nation’s Information Centre in Delhi to celebrate UN’s 60th anniversary worldwide.

World premiere of “Buddha”

Ruchika Theatre Group and the India Habitat Centre here are staging the world premiere of dramaturge Arun Kuckreja’s “Buddha”, a soliloquy read by noted theatre personality Sunit Tandon at the Habitat World on September 26. “Peace and Happiness For All”, a prayer poem for lasting world peace by Daisaku Ikeda, president Soka Gakkai international, Tokyo, will be read by dramatist Sohaila Kapur.

This will be followed by a book release on “Buddha” and a panel discussion with noted author, Uma Vasudev, and Bharat Soka Gakkai representative, Varsha Das, on the panel.

Death anniversary of Hungarian composer

A two-day festival to commemorate the 60th death anniversary of perhaps one of the greatest Hungarian composers of the 20th century, Bela Bartok who passed away in New York on September 26, 1945, began at the Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre here.

The centre is screening “real treasures from the archives of the Hungarian Television, including Bartok’s festive concerts and performances”. The event is being organised with the cooperation of the Delhi School of Music.

Album of Pt Satish Vyas released

Under its leading classical music brand, Maestro’s Choice, Music Today has released the album of Pandit Satish Vyas, a widely acclaimed santoor player. In this album, Pandit Vyas explores two ragas–Dhani and Chandrakauns.

It also released another album in the easy listening genre entitled Kashmir–Paradise on Earth, composed by santoor maestro Rahul Sharma.

New Delhi, September 25
The Delhi Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit, today launched 50th phase of pulse polio campaign at her residence by administering anti-polio drops to children at a simple function.

More than 25 lakh children upto five years of age were expected to be administered polio drops in the Capital today at more than 7,000 camps being organised at hospitals, health Centres, schools, railway stations, bus stops and other prominent places.

Speaking on this occasion, Ms Dikshit said Delhi was close to full eradication of polio as only one case of polio was detected in January this year. The city had remained pioneer in field of pulse polio campaign and efforts of her government had yielded excellent results, she added.

She lauded the role of NGOs, WHO and other social organizations in reaching every hook and corner of Delhi. The chief minister exhorted all parents to take their children to polio centres and said that 24,000 health personnel had been deployed at the centres.

Another 18,000 health personnel would go door-to-door for the next five days from tomorrow to administer anti-polio drops to children who remain unattended today. Speaking on the occasion, the Delhi Health Minister, Mr Yoganand Shastri, said the next phase of pulse polio would be organised in November.

The Principal Secretary (Health), Mr S. P. Aggarwal and other senior officials of the Health Department were also present at the function.

New Delhi, September 25
The Delhi unit of the Coordination Committee against Atrocities on Dalits (CCAD) has sought immediate release of its leader, Mr Mor Singh, who, they alleged had been arrested here on trumpeted charges and implementation of the Prevention of Atrocities on SC/ST Act in Haryana.

The CCAD, which met here last evening, said a false case had been framed against Mr Mor Singh because he was raising the issue of atrocities on Dalits, including police excesses against them, in Narela in North-West Delhi. A Dalit family had been forced to leave home three months ago, said CCAD spokesperson Than Singh Josh in a statement here today.

However, the Narela Police refused to have arrested Mr Mor Singh, saying that so far no political activists had been nabbed.

On the burning of Dalit houses in Gohana in Haryana month ago, the Dalit leaders said Haryana had become vulnerable to atrocities on Dalits, which warranted the implementation of the SC/ST Act in the state.

They also demanded invoking the Act against the upper caste Jats involved in the attack in Gohana. Also, they sought a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for each affected family in Gohana besides ensuring foolproof security for them.

New Delhi, September 25
The Life Insurance Agents Federation of India (LIAFI) began its two-day 13th General Council Meeting here today. The meeting was inaugurated at Siri Fort Auditorium by Members of Parliament, Dr Rajesh Mishra and Mr K. Bhattacharjee.

The meeting aims at reframing the charter of demands of LIAFI. Held every three years, the meeting is being attended by almost 4,000 delegates from all over India. Established in 1964, the Federation has participation of about 1,000 associations of Life Insurance agents across seven zones, affecting nearly 10 Lakh agents nationally.

Commenting on its main demands, LIAFI’s All-India president, Mumbai-based Mr H M Jain, said, “Despite uniformly good product portfolio and LIC’s unbeatably high brand equity, its market share has steadily fallen to about 75% in recent years. We need to minutely scrutinise the reasons for this downfall and take effective measures to curtail it.” For one, LIAFI believes life insurance agency should not be open to one and all. Says Mr Jain, “The passing rate for the pre-licence training test for agents touches as high as 100% in many regions. Then, there is no effective control to ensure quality in the stipulated 100-hour training program. Obviously, the stress is on building up quantity of agents rather than quality.”

The Federation also demands that the minimum age limit should be upped from 18 to 21 years and that there should be some cap on the maximum age limit.

New Delhi, September 25
The Delhi Police today claimed to have arrested the son of a Nigerian diplomat for allegedly selling cocaine in the vicinity of a cinema theatre in South Delhi, the police said.

The suspect, Oladeyo Degi Togun (31), was arrested on a tip-off outside the PVR cinema in Vasant Vihar yesterday and ten grams of high-grade cocaine was seized from his possession, the police said.

A senior officer of the Narcotics Branch of the Delhi Police said that the accused and his accomplices tried to run away on seeing the raiding party. While Togun was chased and overpowered by the police, the others managed to escape.

The officer said Togun was under the impression that being the son of a diplomat, he could not be prosecuted and also claimed “selling cocaine to high class clients in Vasant Vihar and other posh localities”. “The accused said he procured high-grade cocaine through a network of Nigerian colleagues,” he said.

New Delhi, September 25
At an emergency meeting of the Executive Council of Delhi University, the names of Prof S. K. Tandon, Prof Shirin Rathore and Prof Dinesh Singh were approved for the post of Pro Vice-Chancellor, Dean of Colleges and Director of South Campus,
respectively. — TNS